Legal Ethics 1 Cases

8/20/2019 Legal Ethics 1 Cases

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RENATO CAYETANO vs. CHRISTIANMONSODG.R. No. 100113. September 3, 1991.

FACTS:Monsod was nominated by President Aquinoas C airman o! t e Come"e#. $ e Commissionon Appointments #on!irmed t e appointmentdespite Cayetano%s ob&e#tion, based onMonsod%s a""e'ed "a#( o! t e requiredqua"i!i#ation o! 10 year "aw pra#ti#e. Cayetano!i"ed t is #ertiorari and pro ibition. $ e 19)*#onstitution pro+ides in Se#tion 1, Arti#"e -C/ $ ere s a"" be a Commission on "e#tions#omposed o! a C airman and siCommissioners w o s a"" be natura" born

#iti2ens o! t e P i"ippines and, at t e time o! t eir appointment, at "east t irty !i+e years o! a'e, o"ders o! a #o""e'e de'ree, and must not

a+e been #andidates !or any e"e#ti+e positionin t e immediate"y pre#edin'e"e#tions. owe+er, a ma&ority t ereo!,in#"udin' t e C airman, s a"" be members o! t e P i"ippine 4ar w o a+e been en'a'ed int e pra#ti#e o! "aw !or at "east ten years.

ISSUE:1. 5 et er or not Monsod as been en'a'ed int e pra#ti#e o! "aw !or 10 years.

6. 5 et er or not t e Commission onAppointments #ommitted 'ra+e abuse o! dis#retion in #on!irmin' Monsod ’ sappointment.

HELD:

1. 7 S. $ e pra#ti#e o! "aw is not"imited to t e #ondu#t o! #ases or "iti'ation in #ourt. t embra#es t e

preparation o! p"eadin's and ot er papers in#ident to a#tions and spe#ia" pro#eedin's, t e mana'ement o! su#a#tions and pro#eedin's on be a"! o! #"ients, and ot er wor(s w ere t ewor( done in+o"+es t e determinationo! t e trained "e'a" mind o! t e "e'a"e!!e#t o! !a#ts and #onditions 8P A +s.A'ra+a.: $ e re#ords o! t e 19);#onstitutiona" #ommission s ow t att e interpretation o! t e term pra#ti#e o! "aw was "ibera" as to #onsider "awyersemp"oyed in t e Commission o! Auditas en'a'ed in t e pra#ti#e o! "aw

pro+ided t at t ey use t eir "e'a"(now"ed'e or ta"ent in t eir respe#ti+ewor(. $ e #ourt a"so #ited an arti#"e int e ire#tor issued a #ir#u"ar announ#in' t at e ads# edu"ed !or


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in#"ude t e app"i#ation o! s#ienti!i# andte# ni#a" (now"ed'e and trainin' as a matter o! a#tua" purpose so as to in#"ude en'ineers andot er indi+idua"s w o passed t e e amination#an pra#ti#e be!ore t e Patent =!!i#e.?urt ermore, respondent #ontends t at e as

pre+ious"y #ondu#ted su# e aminations andt at t is is t e !irst time t at e is questioned!orma""y.

SSB S/

1. 5 et er or not members o! t e bar s ou"d!irst ta(e and pass an e amination #ondu#ted

by t e Patent =!!i#e be!ore e wou"d bea""owed to pra#ti#e "aw in said o!!i#e

6. 5 et er or not appearan#e be!ore t e Patent=!!i#e and t e preparation o! app"i#ations or

patents, et#. #onstitutes pra#ti#e o! "aw or isin#"uded in t e pra#ti#e o! "aw and

3. 5 et er or not t e >ire#tor o! t e Patent=!!i#e is aut ori2ed to #ondu#t e aminations!or patent attorneys.

RB NG/

$ e Supreme Court as t e e #"usi+e and#onstitutiona" power wit respe#t to admissionto t e pra#ti#e o! "aw in t e P i"ippines andany member o! t e P i"ippine 4ar in 'oodstandin' may pra#ti#e "aw anyw ere and

be!ore any entity, w et er &udi#ia" or quasi &udi#ia" or administrati+e, in t e P i"ippines.

Moreo+er, The practice of law is not limited to the conduct of cases or litigation m

court; it embra#es t e preparation o! p"eadin's andot er papers in#ident to a#tions andspe#ia" pro#eedin's, t e mana'emento! su# a#tions and pro#eedin's on

be a"! o! #"ients be!ore &ud'es and#ourts, and in addition, #on+eyin'. n'enera", a"" ad+i#e to #"ients, and a""a#tion ta(en !or t em in matters#onne#ted wit t e "aw in#orporationsendees, assessment and #ondemnationser+i#es #ontemp"atin' an appearan#e

be!ore a &udi#ia" body, t e !ore#"osureo! a mort'a'e, en!or#ement o! a#reditor%s #"aim in ban(rupt#y andinso"+en#y pro#eedin's, and#ondu#tin' pro#eedin's in atta# ment,

and in matters o! estate and'uardians ip a+e been e"d to#onstitute "aw pra#ti#e, as do t e

preparation and dra!tin' o! "e'a"instruments, where the work doneinvolves the determination by thetrained legal mind of the legal effect of

facts and conditions. As such, , t e pra#ti#e o! "aw in#"udes su#appearan#e be!ore t e Patent =!!i#e,

t e representation o! app"i#ants,oppositors, and ot er persons, and t e

prose#ution o! t eir app"i#ations !or patent, t eir oppositions t ereto, or t een!or#ement o! t eir ri' ts in patent#ases. $ us, under t e present "aw,members o! t e P i"ippine 4ar aut ori2ed by t is $ribuna" to pra#ti#e"aw, and in 'ood standin', may pra#ti#et eir pro!ession be!ore t e Patent

=!!i#e, !or t e reason t at mu# o! t e business in said o!!i#e in+o"+es t e

interpretation and determination o! t e s#opeand app"i#ation o! t e Patent aw and ot er "aws app"i#ab"e, as we"" as t e presentation o! e+iden#e to estab"is !a#ts in+o"+ed t at parto! t e !un#tions o! t e Patent >ire#tor are

&udi#ia" or quasi &udi#ia", so mu# so t atappea"s !rom is orders and de#isions are,under t e "aw, ta(en to t e Supreme Court. nsum, t e pra#ti#e o! "aw #o+ers any a#ti+ity inor out o! #ourt, w i# requires t e app"i#ationo! "aw, "e'a" pro#edures, prin#ip"es or pra#ti#eand #a""s !or "e'a" (now"ed'e, trainin' ande perien#e. And, on"y t e Supreme Court as t e e #"usi+e and #onstitutiona" power witrespe#t to admission to t e pra#ti#e o! "aw.

n Re/ A" C. Ar'osino 6D; SCRA 1D 8199@:N MA$$ R =? $ A>M SS =N $= $

4AR AN> =A$ $AE NG =?SBCC SS?B 4AR APP CAN$ A C.ARG=S N=

DOCTRINES:• $ e pra#ti#e o! "aw is a i' persona"

pri+i"e'e "imited to #iti2ens o! 'ood mora"# ara#ter, wit spe#ia" edu#ation qua"i!i#ations,du"y as#ertained and #erti!ied.• Requirement o! 'ood mora" # ara#ter is o! 'reater importan#e so !ar as t e 'enera" pub"i#and proper administration o! &usti#e is#on#erned.• A"" aspe#ts o! mora" # ara#ter and be a+ior may be inquired into in respe#t o! t ose

see(in' admission to t e 4ar.


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• Requirement o! 'ood mora" # ara#ter to besatis!ied by t ose w o wou"d see( admissionto t e bar must be a ne#essity more strin'entt an t e norm o! #ondu#t e pe#ted !rommembers o! t e 'enera" pub"i#.• Parti#ipation in t e pro"on'ed mind"ess

p ysi#a" beatin's in!"i#ted upon Rau"Cama"i'an #onstituted e+ident re&e#tion o! t atmora" duty and was tota""y irresponsib"e

be a+ior, w i# ma(es impossib"e a !indin't at t e parti#ipant was possessed o! 'oodmora" # ara#ter.• Good mora" # ara#ter is a requirement

possession o! w i# must be demonstrated att e time o! t e app"i#ation !or permission tota(e t e bar e aminations and moreimportant"y at t e time o! app"i#ation !or admission to t e bar and to ta(e t e attorney%soat o! o!!i#e.

FACTS:=n ?ebruary D, 1996 ,Ar'osino, to'et er wit13 ot ers, was # ar'ed wit t e #rime o!

omi#ide in #onne#tion wit t e deat o! oneRau" Cama"i'an. $ e deat o! Cama"i'anstemmed !rom t e a!!"i#tion o! se+ere p ysi#a"in&uries upon im in #ourse o! a2in'

#ondu#ted as part o! t e uni+ersity !raternityinitiation rites. =n ?ebruary 11, 1993, t ea##used were #onsequent"y senten#ed to su!!er imprisonment !or a period ran'in' !rom two86: years, !our 8D: mont s and one 81: day to!our 8D: years.

"e+en 811: days "ater, Mr. Ar'osino and is#o""ea'ues !i"ed an app"i#ation !or probationwit t e "ower #ourt. $ e app"i#ation was

'ranted on


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=n 11 Apri" 199D, t e tria" #ourt issued anorder appro+in' a report dated ; Apri" 199Dsubmitted by t e Probation =!!i#er re#ommendin' petitioner%s dis# ar'e !rom

probation.

=n 1D Apri" 199D, petitioner !i"ed be!ore t is

Court a petition to be a""owed to ta(e t e"awyer%s oat based on t e order o! isdis# ar'e !rom probation.

=n 13


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imse"! o! t e ob+ious de!i#ien#y in mora"# ara#ter re!erred to abo+e.

4e!ore anyt in' e"se, t e Court understandsand s ares t e sentiment o! Atty. Gi"bertCama"i'an. $ e deat o! one%s # i"d is, !or a

parent, a most traumati# e perien#e. $ e

su!!erin' be#omes e+en more pronoun#ed and pro!ound in #ases w ere t e deat is due to#auses ot er t an natura" or a##identa" but dueto t e re#("ess impruden#e o! t ird parties. $ e!ee"in' t en be#omes a stru''"e between 'rie! and an'er dire#ted at t e #ause o! deat .

Atty. Cama"i'an%s statement be!ore t e Courtmani!estin' is a+in' !or'i+en t e a##used isno "ess t an praisewort y and #ommendab"e. t

is e #eptiona" !or a parent, 'i+en t e#ir#umstan#es in t is #ases, to !ind room !or !or'i+eness.

owe+er, Atty. Cama"i'an admits t at e issti"" not in a position to state i! petitioner isnow mora""y !it to be a "awyer.

A!ter a +ery #are!u" e+a"uation o! t is #ase, wereso"+e to a""ow petitioner A"

Caparros Ar'osino to ta(e t e "awyer%s oat ,si'n t e Ro"" o! Attorneys and pra#ti#e t e"e'a" pro!ession wit t e !o""owin'admonition/

n a""owin' Mr. Ar'osino to ta(e t e "awyer% soat , t e Court re#o'ni2es t at Mr. Ar'osino isnot in erent"y o! bad mora" !iber. =n t e#ontrary, t e +arious #erti!i#ations s ow t at eis a de+out Cat o"i# wit a 'enuine #on#ern !or

#i+i# duties and pub"i# ser+i#e.

$ e Court is persuaded t atMr. Ar'osino as e erted a"" e!!orts toatone !or t e deat o! Rau" Cama"i'an.5e are prepared to 'i+e im t e bene!ito! t e doubt, ta(in' &udi#ia" noti#e o! t e 'enera" tenden#y o! yout to beras , temerarious and un#a"#u"atin'.

5e stress to Mr. Ar'osino t at t e"awyer%s oat is N=$ a mere #eremonyor !orma"ity !or pra#ti#in' "aw. +ery"awyer s ou"d at A $ M S wei'

is a#tions a##ordin' to t e sworn promises e ma(es w en ta(in' t e"awyer%s oat . ! a"" "awyers #ondu#tedt emse"+es stri#t"y a##ordin' to t e"awyer%s oat and t e Code o!

Pro!essiona" Responsibi"ity, t eadministration o! &usti#e wi""undoubted"y be !aster, !airer and easier !or e+eryone #on#erned.

$ e Court sin#ere"y opes t atMr. Ar'osino wi"" #ontinue wit t eassistan#e e as been 'i+in' to is#ommunity. As a "awyer e wi"" now bein a better position to render "e'a" and

ot er ser+i#es to t e more un!ortunatemembers o! so#iety.

PR M S S C=NS > R >, petitioner A" Caparros Ar'osino is erebyA =5 > to ta(e t e "awyer%s oaton a date to be set by t e Court, to si'nt e Ro"" o! Attorneys and, t erea!ter, to

pra#ti#e t e "e'a" pro!ession.

S= =R> R >.

III (Re Al Argosino, !.". #o. $%& (Resolution',"arch %), %))$*'

Maria Ji#toria Jentura +s Atty. >ani"o Samson

A.C. No. 9;0) 8No+ember 6*, 6016:

4e!ore t e Court is t e Comp"aint !or >isbarment a'ainst Atty. >ani"oSamson K"ed by Maria Ji#toria Jentura.

Facts:Comp"ainant K"ed a #omp"aint !or disbarmenta'ainst t e respondent !or 'ross"yimmora" #ondu#t. S e a""e'ed t at respondent

ad #arna" (now"ed'e o! er twi#e w en s ewas sti"" a minor, t e Krst bein' #ommittedin t e maid ’ s room and t e ot er #ommittedin t e respondent ’ s pou"try !arm.

Respondent did not deny t e deed, but a""e'edt at t e se ua" a#t was done witmutua" #onsent, t e #omp"ainante+en a##eptin' t e !ees e ad 'i+en a!ter t einter#ourse. Respondent a"so a""e'ed t at t e

#omp"ainant was o! "oose mora"sand t at #omp"aint was on"y #on#o#ted sot at t e #omp"ainant #an e tort money!rom im.

Issu : 5 et er or not t e respondent ’ s a#t warrantdisbarment

Ru!"#$:

mmora" #ondu#t in+o"+es a#ts t at arewi""!u", La'rant, or s ame"ess, and t at s ow a


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mora" indi!!eren#e to t e opinion o! t eupri' t and respe#tab"e members o! t e#ommunity.

Respondent as +io"ated t e trustand #onKden#e reposed on im by#omp"ainant, t en a 13 year

o"d minor w o !or a time was under respondent ’ s #are. 5 et er t ese ua" en#ounter between t e respondentand #omp"ainant was or was not wit t e"atter ’ s #onsent is o! no moment. Respondent#"ear"y #ommitted a dis'ra#e!u",'ross"y immora" and i' "y repre ensib"e a#t.Su# #ondu#t is a trans'ression o! t estandards o! mora"ity required o! t e "e'a"

pro!ession and s ou"d be dis#ip"ined

a##ordin'"y.

A%&u%"cat" #:Respondent Atty. >ani"o S. Samson is ereby> S4ARR > !or Gross mmora" Condu#t,Jio"ation o! is oat o! o!!i#e,and Jio"ation o! Canon 1, Ru"e 1.01 andCanon *, Ru"e *.03 o! t e Code o! Pro!essiona"Responsibi"ity.

I# R (OA)UIN T* +ORROMEO R !*C ,u C"t- C.a/t 0 t. I+PA*M* N * 34745 546 F ,0ua0- 21 1 8

Facts:

$ e respondent in t is #ase,


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5 et er t e respondent a##used is "iab"e !or #onstru#ti+e #ontempt

H !%:


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ISSUE:5=N t e petitioner be a""owed to si'n in t ero"" o! attorneys

RULING:7es, t e Court a""owed t e petitioner to si'n

t e Ro"" o! Attorneys sub&e#t to t e payment o! a !ine and t e imposition o! a pena"tyequi+a"ent to suspension !rom t e pra#ti#e o! "aw.$ e Court #annot !orbid t e petitioner !rom si'nin' t e Ro"" o! Attorneys be#ausesu# a#tion #onstitutes disbarment. Su#

pena"ty is reser+ed to t e most serious et i#a"trans'ressions o! members o! t e 4ar.$ eCourt #ited t ree main points w i#demonstrate Medado ’ s wort to be#ome a

!u"" !"ed'ed member o! t e P i"ippine 4ar.?irst, Medado demonstrated 'ood !ait and'ood mora" # ara#ter w en e !ina""y !i"ed t einstant Petition to Si'n in t e Ro"" o! Attorneys. t was Medado imse"! w oadmitted is own error and not any t ird

person. Se#ond, petitioner as not been sub&e#tto any a#tion !or disqua"i!i#ation !rom t e

pra#ti#e o! "aw. e stro+e to ad ere to t e stri#trequirements o! t e et i#s o! t e pro!ession

and t at e as prima !a#ie s own t at e possesses t e # ara#ter required to be amember o! t e P i"ippine 4ar. $ ird, Medadoappears to a+e been a #ompetent and ab"e"e'a" pra#titioner, a+in' e"d +arious positionsat t e aure" aw =!!i#e, Petron, Petrop i"Corporation, t e P i"ippine Nationa" =i"Company, and t e ner'y >e+e"opmentCorporation. owe+er, t e Court #annot !u""y!ree Medado !rom a"" "iabi"ity !or is years o!

ina#tion. is &usti!i#ation o! is a#tion, t at itwas “ neit er wi""!u" nor intentiona" but based

on a mista(en be"ie! and an onesterror o! &ud'ment ” was opposed byt e Court.

“ A mista(e o! "aw #annot be uti"i2edas a "aw!u" &usti!i#ation, be#ausee+eryone is presumed to (now t e "aw

and its #onsequen#es.”

A"t ou' an onest mista(e o! !a#t#ou"d be used to e #use a person !romt e "e'a" #onsequen#es o! is a#ts e#ou"d no "on'er #"aim it as a +a"id

&usti!i#ation by t e moment e rea"i2edt at w at e ad si'ned was mere"y anattendan#e re#ord. is a#tion o! #ontinuin' t e pra#ti#e o! "aw in spite

o! is (now"ed'e o! t e need to ta(e t ene#essary steps to #omp"ete a""requirements !or t e admission to t e

bar #onstitutes unaut ori2ed pra#ti#e o! "aw. Su# a#tion trans'resses Canon9o! %t e Code o! Pro!essiona"Responsibi"ity, w i# pro+ides/

CAN=N 9 A "awyer s a"" not, dire#t"yor indire#t"y, assist in t e unaut ori2ed

pra#ti#e o! "aw.

5it respe#t to t e pena"ty, pre+ious+io"ations o! Canon 9 a+e warrantedt e pena"ty o! suspension !rom t e

pra#ti#e o! "aw. owe+er, in t e instant#ase t e Court #ou"d not warrant t e

pena"ty o! suspension !rom t e pra#ti#eo! "aw to Medado be#ause e is not yeta !u"" !"ed'ed "awyer. nstead, t e Court

see it !it to impose upon im a pena"tysimi"ar to suspension by a""owin' im

to si'n in t e Ro"" o! Attorneys one 8 1: year a!ter re#eipt o! t e Reso"ution and to !ine

im in t e amount o! P36,000.$ e instantPetition to Si'n in t e Ro"" o! Attorneys isA!!irmed. Petitioner Mi# ae" A. Medado isA =5 > to si'n in t e Ro"" o! Attorneys=N 81: 7 AR a!ter re#eipt o! t e Reso"ution.

Petitioner is "i(ewise =R> R > to pay a? N o!P36,000 !or is unaut ori2ed pra#ti#eo! "aw. >urin' t e one year period,petitioner is

N=$ A =5 > to pra#ti#e "aw, and isS$ RN 7 5ARN > t at doin' any a#t t at#onstitutes pra#ti#e o! "aw be!ore e as si'nedin t e Ro"" o! Attorneys wi"" be dea"t witse+ere"y by t e Court.

CATU ?s RELLOSAA*C* NO* 873@ FE+RUARY 1 266@

FACTS: Petitioner initiated a #omp"ainta'ainst "i2abet Catu and Antonio Pastor w owere o##upyin' one o! t e units in a bui"din'in Ma"ate w i# was owned by t e !ormer. $ esaid #omp"aint was !i"ed in t e upon'

$a'apamayapa o! 4aran'ay *63, Oone *9 o! t e @t >istri#t o! Mani"a w ere respondent wast e punon' baran'ay. $ e parties, a+inG beensummoned !or #on#i"iation pro#eedin's and!ai"in' to arri+e at an ami#ab"e sett"ement,were issued by t e respondent a #erti!i#ation!or t e !i"in' o! t e appropriate a#tion in #ourt.Petitioner, t us, !i"ed a #omp"aint !or e&e#tmenta'ainst "i2abet and Pastor in t eMetropo"itan $ria" Court o! Mani"a w ere

respondent entered is appearan#e as #ounse"!or t e de!endants. 4e#ause o! t is, petitioner


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!i"ed t e instant administrati+e #omp"ainta'ainst t e respondent on t e 'round t at e#ommitted an a#t o! impropriety as a "awyer and as a pub"i# o!!i#er w en e stood as#ounse" !or t e de!endants despite t e !a#t t at

e presided o+er t e #on#i"iation pro#eedin's between t e "iti'ants as punon' baran'ay. n

is de!ense, respondent #"aimed t at as punon' baran'ay, e per!ormed is tas( wit out bias and t at e a##eded to

"i2abet ’ s request to and"e t e #ase !or !reeas s e was !inan#ia""y distressed. $ e#omp"aint was t en re!erred to t e nte'rated4ar o! t e P i"ippines 8 4P: w ere a!ter e+a"uation, t ey !ound su!!i#ient 'round todis#ip"ine respondent. A##ordin' to t em,respondent +io"ated Ru"e ;.03 o! t e Code o!

Pro!essiona" Responsibi"ity and, as an e"e#ti+eo!!i#ia", t e pro ibition under Se#tion *8b: 86:o! RA ;*13. Consequent"y, !or t e +io"ation o! t e "atter pro ibition, respondent #ommitted a

brea# o! Canon 1. Consequent"y, !or t e+io"ation o! t e "atter pro ibition, respondentwas t en re#ommended suspension !rom t e

pra#ti#e o! "aw !or one mont wit a sternwarnin' t at t e #ommission o! t e same or simi"ar a#t wi"" be dea"t wit more se+ere"y.

ISSUE: 5 et er or not t e !ore'oin' !indin'sre'ardin' t e trans'ression o! respondent aswe"" as t e re#ommendation on t e imposab"e

pena"ty o! t e respondent were proper.

HELD: No. ?irst, respondent #annot be!ound "iab"e !or +io"ation o! Ru"e ;.03 t e

Code o! Pro!essiona" Responsibi"ity as t isapp"ies on"y to a "awyer w o as "e!t

'o+ernment ser+i#e and in #onne#tionto !ormer 'o+ernment "awyers w o are

pro ibited !rom a##eptin' emp"oymentin #onne#tion wit any matter in w i#Ft ey ad inter+ened w i"e in t eir ser+i#e. n t e #ase at bar, respondentwas an in#umbent punon' baran'ay.

Apparent"y, e does not !a"" wit in t e pur+iew o! t e said pro+ision.

Se#ond, it is not Se#tion 90 o! RA *1;0 but Se#tion *8b: 86: o! RA ;*13 w i#'o+erns t e pra#ti#e o! pro!ession o! e"e#ti+e "o#a" 'o+ernment o!!i#ia"s.5 i"e RA ;*13 'enera""y app"ies toa"" pub"i# o!!i#ia"s and emp"oyees, RA*1;0, bein' a spe#ia" "aw, #onstitutes

an e #eption to RA ;*13 .Moreo+er,w i"e under RA *1;0,#ertain "o#a"e"e#ti+e o!!i#ia"s 8"i(e 'o+ernors,mayors, pro+in#ia" board members and#oun#i"ors: are e press"y sub&e#ted to atota" or partia" pros#ription to pra#ti#et eir pro!ession or en'a'e in anyo##upation, no su# interdi#tion ismade on t e punon' baran'ay and t emembers o! t e san''unian' baran'ay.

pressio unius est e #"usio a"teriussin#e t ey are e #"uded !rom any pro ibition, t e presumption is t att ey are a""owed to pra#ti#e t eir

pro!ession. Respondent, t ere!ore, isnot !orbidden to pra#ti#e is pro!ession.

$ ird, notwit standin' a"" o! t ese,respondent sti"" s ou"d a+e pro#ured a

prior permission or aut ori2ation !rom

t e ead o! is >epartment, as required by #i+i" ser+i#e re'u"ations. $ e !ai"ure

o! respondent to #omp"y wit Se#tion 16, Ru"e-J o! t e Re+ised Ci+i" Ser+i#e Ru"es#onstitutes a +io"ation o! is oat as a "awyer/to obey t e "aws. n a#tin' as #ounse" !or a

party wit out !irst se#urin' t e requiredwritten permission, respondent not on"yen'a'ed in t e unaut ori2ed pra#ti#e o! "aw but

a"so +io"ated a #i+i" ser+i#e ru"es w i# is a brea# o! Ru"e 1.01 o! t e Code o! Pro!essiona" Responsibi"ity/

• Ru"e 1.01 A !a;- 0 s.a!! # t #$a$ "#u#!a; u! , dis onest, immora" or de#eit!u" c #%uct .

?or not "i+in' up to is oat as we"" as !or not#omp"yin' wit t e e a#tin' et i#a" standards

o! t e "e'a" pro!ession, respondent !ai"ed to#omp"y wit Canon * o! t e Code o! Pro!essiona" Responsibi"ity/

• CAN=N *. A 3A89:R / A33 AT A33T4":/ - R4T9 A#=T : =4>#4T9 A3

-R


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WHEREFORE , respondent Atty. Ji#ente G.Re""osa is ereby !ound GUILTY o!

pro!essiona" mis#ondu#t !or +io"atin' is oatas a "awyer and Canons 1 and * and Ru"e 1.01o! t e Code o! Pro!essiona" Responsibi"ity. eis t ere!ore SUSPENDED 0 > t. /0act"c

!a; !or a period o! si mont s e!!e#ti+e!rom is re#eipt o! t is reso"ution. e isstern"y WARNED t at any repetition o! simi"ar a#ts s a"" be dea"t wit more se+ere"y.

Respondent is stron'"y ad+ised to "oo( up andta(e to eart t e meanin' o! t eword delicade@a.

(U Y P* CIOCON4REER ET AL* ?s*(UDGE ANTONIO C* LU+AO A.M. =CA P No. 09 3610 R$< I


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admission as a member o! t e bar must be a#iti2en o! t e P i"ippines, at "east twenty oneyears o! a'e, o! 'ood mora" # ara#ter, andresident o! t e P i"ippines and must produ#e

be!ore t e Supreme Court satis!a#torye+iden#e o! 'ood mora" # ara#ter, and t at no# ar'es a'ainst im, in+o"+in' mora" turpitude,

a+e been !i"ed or are pendin' in any #ourt int e P i"ippines.S ct" # 3* Re6uirements for lawyers who areciti@ens of the nited /tates of America . —

Citi2ens o! t e Bnited States o! Ameri#a w o, be!ore


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newspapers pub"is ed in Pi"ipino, n'"is andSpanis , !or at "east ten 810: days be!ore t e

be'innin' o! t e e amination.S ct" # * :Camination; sub ects . —

App"i#ants, not ot erwise pro+ided !or inse#tions 3 and D o! t is ru"e, s a"" be sub&e#tedto e aminations in t e !o""owin' sub&e#ts/ Ci+i"

aw abor and So#ia" e'is"ation Mer#anti"eaw Crimina" aw Po"iti#a" aw8Constitutiona" aw, Pub"i# Corporations, andPub"i# =!!i#ers: nternationa" aw 8Pri+ateand Pub"i#: $a ation Remedia" aw 8Ci+i"Pro#edure, Crimina" Pro#edure, and +iden#e:

e'a" t i#s and Pra#ti#a" er#ises 8inP"eadin's and Con+eyan#in':.S ct" # 16* !ar eCamination, by 6uestions and answers, and in writing . — Persons ta(in' t e

e amination s a"" not brin' papers, boo(s or notes into t e e amination rooms. $ equestions s a"" be t e same !or a"" e amineesand a #opy t ereo!, in n'"is or Spanis , s a""

be 'i+en to ea# e aminee. aminees s a""answer t e questions persona""y wit out e"p!rom anyone.Bpon +eri!ied app"i#ation made by ane aminee statin' t at is penmans ip is so

poor t at it wi"" be di!!i#u"t to read is answers

wit out mu# "oss o! time., t e Supreme Courtmay a""ow su# e aminee to use a typewriter in answerin' t e questions. =n"y noise"esstypewriters s a"" be a""owed to be used.$ e #ommittee o! bar e aminer s a"" ta(e su#

pre#autions as are ne#essary to pre+ent t esubstitution o! papers or #ommission o! ot er !rauds. aminees s a"" not p"a#e t eir nameson t e e amination papers. No ora"e amination s a"" be 'i+en.

S ct" # 11* Annual eCamination .—

aminations !or admission to t e bar o! t e

P i"ippines s a"" ta(e p"a#e annua""y int e City o! Mani"a. $ ey s a"" be e"din !our days to be desi'nate by t e# airman o! t e #ommittee on bar e aminers. $ e sub&e#ts s a"" bedistributed as !o""ows/ ?irst day/Po"iti#a" and nternationa" aw

8mornin': and abor and So#ia"e'is"ation 8a!ternoon: Se#ond day/Ci+i" aw 8mornin': and $a ation8a!ternoon: $ ird day/ Mer#anti"e aw8mornin': and Crimina" aw8a!ternoon: ?ourt day/ Remedia" aw8mornin': and "e'a" t i#s andPra#ti#a" er#ises 8a!ternoon:.S ct" # 12* +ommittee of eCaminers .— aminations s a"" be #ondu#ted by

a #ommittee o! bar e aminers to beappointed by t e Supreme Court. $ is#ommittee s a"" be #omposed o! a


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14/16

#on#"usion on its own pro!essiona" (now"ed'e.A written #ontra#t !or ser+i#es s a"" #ontro" t eamount to be paid t ere!or un"ess !ound by t e#ourt to be un#ons#ionab"e or unreasonab"e.S ct" # 28* nlawful retention of clientDs

funds; contempt . — 5 en an attorney un&ust"yretains in is ands money o! is #"ient a!ter it

as been demanded, e may be punis ed !or #ontempt as an o!!i#er o! t e Court w o asmisbe a+ed in is o!!i#ia" transa#tions but

pro#eedin's under t is se#tion s a"" not be a bar to a #rimina" prose#ution.S ct" # 25* +hange of attorneys . — Anattorney may retire at any time !rom any a#tionor spe#ia" pro#eedin', by t e written #onsent o!

is #"ient !i"ed in #ourt. e may a"so retire atany time !rom an a#tion or spe#ia" pro#eedin',

wit out t e #onsent o! is #"ient, s ou"d t e#ourt, on noti#e to t e #"ient and attorney, andon earin', determine t at e ou' t to bea""owed to retire. n #ase o! substitution, t ename o! t e attorney new"y emp"oyed s a"" beentered on t e do#(et o! t e #ourt in p"a#e o! t e !ormer one, and written noti#e o! t e# an'e s a"" be 'i+en to t e ad+an#e party.A #"ient may at any time dismiss is attorneyor substitute anot er in is p"a#e, but i! t e

#ontra#t between #"ient and attorney as beenredu#ed to writin' and t e dismissa" o! t eattorney was wit out &usti!iab"e #ause, e s a""

be entit"ed to re#o+er !rom t e #"ient t e !u""#ompensation stipu"ated in t e #ontra#t.

owe+er, t e attorney may, in t e dis#retion o! t e #ourt, inter+ene in t e #ase to prote#t isri' ts. ?or t e payment o! is #ompensationt e attorney s a"" a+e a "ien upon a""

&ud'ments !or t e payment o! money, and

e e#utions issued in pursuan#e o! su#

&ud'ment, rendered in t e #ase w ereinis ser+i#es ad been retained by t e

#"ient.S ct" # 27* Attorneys removed or

suspended by /upreme +ourt on what grounds . — A member o! t e bar may be remo+ed or suspended !rom is

o!!i#e as attorney by t e Supreme Court!or any de#eit, ma"pra#ti#e, or ot er 'ross mis#ondu#t in su# o!!i#e,'ross"y immora" #ondu#t, or by reasono! is #on+i#tion o! a #rime in+o"+in'mora" turpitude, or !or any +io"ation o! t e oat w i# e is required to ta(e

be!ore t e admission to pra#ti#e, or !or a wi"!u"" disobedien#e o! any "aw!u"order o! a superior #ourt, or !or

#orrupt"y or wi""!u" appearin' as anattorney !or a party to a #ase wit outaut ority so to do. $ e pra#ti#e o! so"i#itin' #ases at "aw !or t e purposeo! 'ain, eit er persona""y or t rou'

paid a'ents or bro(ers, #onstitutesma"pra#ti#e.S ct" # 2@* /uspension of attorney bythe +ourt of Appeals or a +ourt of

5irst 4nstance . — $ e Court o! Appea"s

or a Court o! ?irst nstan#e maysuspend an attorney !rom pra#ti#e !or any o! t e #auses named in t e "ast

pre#edin' se#tion, and a!ter su#suspension su# attorney s a"" not

pra#ti#e is pro!ession unti" !urt er a#tion o! t e Supreme Court in t e

premises.S ct" # 2 * pon suspension by the+ourt of Appeals or +ourt of 5irst

4nstance, further proceedings in/upreme +ourt . — Bpon su#

suspension, t e Court o! Appea"s or t e Courto! ?irst nstan#e s a"" !ort wit transmit to t eSupreme Court a #erti!ied #opy o! t e order o! suspension and a !u"" statement o! t e !a#tsupon w i# t e same was based. Bpon t ere#eipt o! su# #erti!ied #opy and statement,t e Supreme Court s a"" ma(e a !u""

in+esti'ation o! t e !a#ts in+o"+ed and ma(esu# order re+o(in' or e tendin' t esuspension, or remo+in' t e attorney !rom iso!!i#e as su# , as t e !a#ts warrant.S ct" # 36* Attorney to be heard beforeremoval or suspension . — No attorney s a"" beremo+ed or suspended !rom t e pra#ti#e o! is

pro!ession, unti" e as ad !u"" opportunityupon reasonab"e noti#e to answer t e # ar'esa'ainst im, to produ#e witnesses in is own

be a"!, and to be eard by imse"! or #ounse".4ut i! upon reasonab"e noti#e e !ai"s to appear and answer t e a##usation, t e #ourt may

pro#eed to determine t e matter eC parte .S ct" # 31* Attorneys for destitute litigants . —

A #ourt may assi'n an attorney to render pro!essiona" aid !ree o! # ar'e to any party in a#ase, i! upon in+esti'ation it appears t at t e

party is destitute and unab"e to emp"oy anattorney, and t at t e ser+i#es o! #ounse" are

ne#essary to se#ure t e ends o! &usti#e and to prote#t t e ri' ts o! t e party. t s a"" be t eduty o! t e attorney so assi'ned to render t erequired ser+i#e, un"ess e is e #usedt ere!rom by t e #ourt !or su!!i#ient #auses own.S ct" # 32* +ompensation for attorneys deoficio . — Sub&e#t to a+ai"abi"ity o! !unds asmay be pro+ided by t e "aw t e #ourt may, inits dis#retion, order an attorney emp"oyed as

#ounse" de oficio to be #ompensates in su#sum as t e #ourt may !i in a##ordan#e wit


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se#tion 6D o! t is ru"e. 5 ene+er su##ompensation is a""owed, it s a"" be not "esst an t irty pesos 8P30: in any #ase, nor moret an t e !o""owin' amounts/ 81: ?i!ty pesos8P@0: in "i' t !e"onies 86: =ne undred pesos8P100: in "ess 'ra+e !e"onies 83: $wo undred

pesos 8P600: in 'ra+e !e"onies ot er t an

#apita" o!!enses 8D: ?i+e undred pesos8P@00: in #apita" o!!enses.S ct" # 33* /tanding in court of personauthori@ed to appear for >overnment . — Anyo!!i#ia" or ot er person appointed or desi'natedin a##ordan#e wit "aw to appear !or t eGo+ernment o! t e P i"ippines s a"" a+e a""t e ri' ts o! a du"y aut ori2ed member o! t e

bar to appear in any #ase in w i# said'o+ernment as an interest dire#t or indire#t.

S ct" # 3=* !y whom li tigation conducted .—

n t e #ourt o! a &usti#e o! t e pea#e a partymay #ondu#t is "iti'ation in person, wit t eaid o! an a'ent or !riend appointed by im !or t e purpose, or wit t e aid an attorney. n anyot er #ourt, a party may #ondu#t is "iti'ation

persona""y or by aid o! an attorney, and isappearan#e must be eit er persona" or by adu"y aut ori2ed member o! t e bar.S ct" # 38* +ertain attorneys not to practice .—

No &ud'e or ot er o!!i#ia" or emp"oyee o! t e superior #ourts or o! t e =!!i#e o! t eSo"i#itor Genera", s a"" en'a'e in pri+ate

pra#ti#e as a member o! t e bar or 'i+e pro!essiona" ad+i#e to #"ients.S ct" # 35* Amicus +uriae . — perien#edand impartia" attorneys may be in+ited by t eCourt to appear as amici curiae to e"p in t edisposition o! issues submitted to it.S ct" # 37* AttorneysD liens. — An attorney

s a"" a+e a "ien upon t e !unds, do#umentsand papers o! is #"ient w i# a+e "aw!u""y

#ome into is possession and mayretain t e same unti" is "aw!u" !ees anddisbursements a+e been paid, and mayapp"y su# !unds to t e satis!a#tiont ereo!. e s a"" a"so a+e a "ien to t esame e tent upon a"" &ud'ments !or t e

payment o! money, and e e#utions

issued in pursuan#e o! su# &ud'ments,w i# e as se#ured in a "iti'ation o! is #"ient, !rom and a!ter t e time w ene s a"" a+e t e #aused a statement o! is #"aim o! su# "ien to be entered

upon t e re#ords o! t e #ourt renderin'su# &ud'ment, or issuin' su#e e#ution, and s a"" a+e t e #ausedwritten noti#e t ereo! to be de"i+ered to

is #"ient and to t e ad+erse paty and

e s a"" a+e t e same ri' t and power o+er su# &ud'ments and e e#utions asis #"ient wou"d a+e to en!or#e is "ien

and se#ure t e payment o! is &ust !eesand disbursements.RULE 13@4ALa; Stu% #t P0act"c Ru!S ct" # 1* +onditions for student

practice. — A "aw student w o assu##ess!u""y #omp"eted is 3rd year o!

t e re'u"ar !our year pres#ribed "aw#urri#u"um and is enro""ed in are#o'ni2ed "aw s# oo"%s #"ini#a" "e'a"edu#ation pro'ram appro+ed by t eSupreme Court, may appear wit out#ompensation in any #i+i", #rimina" or administrati+e #ase be!ore any tria"#ourt, tribuna", board or o!!i#er, torepresent indi'ent #"ients a##epted byt e "e'a" #"ini# o! t e "aw s# oo".

S ct" # 2* Appearance. —

$ eappearan#e o! t e "aw student

aut ori2ed by t is ru"e, s a"" be under t edire#t super+ision and #ontro" o! a member o! t e nte'rated 4ar o! t e P i"ippines du"ya##redited by t e "aw s# oo". Any and a""

p"eadin's, motions, brie!s, memoranda or ot er papers to be !i"ed, must be si'ned by t esuper+isin' attorney !or and in be a"! o! t e

"e'a" #"ini#.S ct" # 3* -rivileged communications. — $ eRu"es sa!e'uardin' pri+i"e'ed #ommuni#ations

between attorney and #"ient s a"" app"y tosimi"ar #ommuni#ations made to or re#ei+ed

by t e "aw student, a#tin' !or t e "e'a" #"ini#.S ct" # =* /tandards of conduct and

supervision. — $ e "aw student s a"" #omp"ywit t e standards o! pro!essiona" #ondu#t'o+ernin' members o! t e 4ar. ?ai"ure o! an

attorney to pro+ide adequate super+ision o! student pra#ti#e may be a 'round !or dis#ip"inary a#tion. 8Cir#u"ar No. 19, dated>e#ember 19, 19);:.

A0t* 26 R ?"s % P #a! C % * 4etraya" o! trust by an attorney or so"i#itor. — Re+e"ationo! se#rets. — n addition to t e proper administrati+e a#tion, t e pena"ty o! prision

#orre##iona" in its minimum period, or a !ineran'in' !rom 600 to 1,000 pesos, or bot , s a"" be imposed upon any attorney at "aw or so"i#itor 8 pro#urador &udi#ia": w o, by anyma"i#ious brea# o! pro!essiona" duty or o! ine #usab"e ne'"i'en#e or i'noran#e, s a""

pre&udi#e is #"ient, or re+ea" any o! t e se#retso! t e "atter "earned by im in is pro!essiona"#apa#ity.

T. sa> / #a!t- s.a!! , ">/ s % u/ # a#att 0# -4at4!a; 0 s !"c"t 0


16/16

B pro#urador &udi#ia": w o, a+in' underta(ent e de!ense o! a #"ient or a+in' re#ei+ed#on!identia" in!ormation !rom said #"ient in a#ase, s a"" underta(e t e de!ense o! t eopposin' party in t e same #ase, wit out t e#onsent o! is !irst #"ient.

A0t* 222* A// a0a#c s a#% F s*1. Non "awyers may appear be!ore t e

Commission or any abor Arbiter on"y/

1. ! t ey represent t emse"+es or 6. ! t ey represent t eir or'ani2ation or members t ereo!.

6. No attorney ’ s !ees, ne'otiation !ees or simi"ar # ar'es o! any (ind arisin' !rom any#o""e#ti+e bar'ainin' a'reement s a"" beimposed on any indi+idua" member o! t e#ontra#tin' union/ Pro+ided, owe+er, t atattorney ’ s !ees may be # ar'ed a'ainstunion !unds in an amount to be a'reed upon

by t e parties. Any #ontra#t, a'reement or arran'ement o! any sort to t e #ontrary s a""

be nu"" and +oid. 8As amended byPresidentia" >e#ree No. 1;91, May 1, 19)0:

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